Huge demonstration in Berlin against the EU-US trade deal

A huge demonstration, which gathered together 250,000 people according to police, took place in Berlin on Saturday, to protest against the proposed free trade agreement between Europe and the United States.

Opposition to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) continues to grow in Germany. Its opponents consider that it will give too much power to the big multinationals at the expense of consumers and workers. According to the organisers, in a coalition of charities, ecology groups and opposition parties, 250,000 people participated in the gathering.

"This is the most important event this country has seen for many years", Christoph Bautz, head of the people’s movement, Campact, told protestors. The strength of protest has taken Angela Merkel’s government by surprise.